book
reviews
BY ANDREA REYNOLDS
Anatomy of a Trend
A Shopkeeper’s Manual
Despite the vagueness and uncertainty of
trends, they impact practically every retail
business, and as such trend-spotting is a
valuable skill to possess and hone. In
Anatomy of a Trend, author Henrik
Vejlgaard helps unravel the mystery of
how trends evolve. In fact, according to
this pioneering trend sociologist, trends
are actually easy to forecast thanks to the
predictable way in which they emerge. By
looking at some key trends from the past
30 years, Vejlgaard builds a captivating
body of evidence that proves even the
most inexperienced style watcher can
recognize, evaluate and profit from trends
before they become mainstream.
MCGRAW-HILL, $26.95
WWW.HENRIKVEJLGAARD.COM
If there’s only one book behind your cash
register, this should be it. With her
trademark wit and wisdom, penny-pitching
retailer Mary Liz Curtain shares her vast
knowledge in A Shopkeeper’s Manual.
The easy-to-read book is conveniently
organized by topic, from marketing to
money matters, and provides countless
insights and ideas to help you save
money. While unconventional at times,
Curtain’s ideas will help you thrive in
good times and survive in the bad.
WICKED QUEEN PRESS
WWW. WICKEDQUEENPRESS.COM
The Essential
Online Solution
THE 5-STEP FORMULA FOR SMALL
BUSINESS SUCCESS
In The Essential Online Solution, industry
experts and authors Rick Segel and Barbara
Callan-Bogia offer up a comprehensive
five-step formula for Internet success.
They cover everything from creating a
Web site that works to positioning your
business on the Web, all in an easy and
straightforward manner. Whether it’s the
evaluations on eBay or pay-per-click
marketing, this book really is essential for
any and all ecommerce enterprises.
WILEY, $27.99
WWW. WILEY.COM
The Art of
Celebrity Service
SETTING A NEW STANDARD OF CUSTOMER
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
As the owner of an extremely successful
garden centre, author Eric Wilder has
witnessed firsthand what a customer service
focus can do for a business. By putting
service first and products second, he turned
his mom-and-pop store into a $2.5 million
retail destination. In his new book, The Art
of Celebrity Service, Wilder shares his tips
for creating a unique shopping experience
and a standard of customer service
excellence that competitors can’t match.
With wit and humour, he entertainingly
reveals how you can turn your store into a
first-class establishment.
IUNIVERSE
WWW.RADICALRETAIL.COM
FOR DISCOUNTED COPIES
OF
A Shopkeeper’s Manual
AND
The Essential Online Solution
VISIT THE RETAIL RESOURCE
CENTRE AT THE SPRING 2008
CGTA GIFT SHOW.
